by Phil Houseal | Dec 7, 2019 | All Articles, Events, Philosophy
“Be brave enough to suck at something new.” Dec 4, 2019–A few weeks ago I was coaxed back onto the stage again. Readers of this column know I am a reluctant thespian. I never acted in high school, and my only other roles were when I played a tree in a local production...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 27, 2019 | All Articles, Philosophy
Nov 27, 2019–When I earned my first income as a paperboy, I decided to buy Christmas gifts for everyone in my family. I perused the Sunset Gift Catalog, filled out my order, and eagerly awaited the wonders promised within. It was a painful introduction to the...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 20, 2019 | All Articles, Education, History, People of the Hill Country
Nov 20, 2019–For a state perceived as largely desert, Texas has an “insanely diverse” number of water habitats. That includes approximately 1,100 public impoundments covering 1.7 million acres, and 191,000 miles of rivers and streams. All of these waters are potential...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 14, 2019 | All Articles, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
Nov 13, 2019–I can roll perfect dinner rolls with either hand. At the same time. It’s a skill I picked up as a prep cook at a fancy restaurant where I worked in college. They were known for their delicious dinner rolls, and it was my job to turn them out by the...
by Phil Houseal | Nov 7, 2019 | All Articles, Events, Music
Nov 6, 2019–Back in my road band days, a singer I knew was accepted to attend John Davidson’s Singer Summer Camp–a place for young entertainers to learn how to perform on stage. It was exciting to know someone who knew John Davidson. After all, John Davidson was “a...
by Phil Houseal | Oct 30, 2019 | All Articles, Education, People of the Hill Country
Oct 30, 2019–Get along, little wormy. Now you can be a real Texas rancher, and all you need is a plastic bin with a lid. Your livestock? Mealworms. Crispy, juicy, squirmy morsels that chickens can’t resist and lizards leap for. Hill Country worm herder Janell Reyenga...
